DURHAM – The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department recently announced changes to haddock and Atlantic cod rules for recreational anglers fishing in state waters up to three miles offshore.

The recreational bag limit for haddock for private anglers has increased from 10 to 15 fish and the minimum size limit has increased to 18 inches. For recreational party/charter fishing vessels, the recreational bag limit and size limit remains at 15 fish with a minimum size limit of 18 inches. The closed season remains in effect for the month of March. For cod, the recreational bag limit remains at one fish, while the minimum size limit has increased to 23 inches. The open season remains in effect from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31.

These changes reflect recently announced federal rules for haddock and cod for recreational private anglers and party/charter vessels fishing in federal waters three to 200 miles from shore in the Gulf of Maine.

These rule changes for haddock and cod are in response to updated assessment data and are required to ensure the recreational sub-Annual Catch Limits are harvested, but not exceeded. This prompted the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service to modify regulations for haddock following consultation with the New England Fishery Management Council.